Blaire Wheeler | Artist Spotlight

Today I’m introducing Tennessee based artist, Blaire Wheeler. Blaire creates the most beautiful hummingbird paintings along with colorful abstracts and is one of the newest artists to be represented by the Shain Gallery here in Charlotte. Her love of creating art began when she was a young child, and from there she continued to nurture her love of art in from painting to gardening and floral arranging. Although Blaire grew up in Texas, she finds herself inspired by the creatives in her adopted city of Nashville, Tennessee.

In this interview, Blaire shares about when she first started painting hummingbirds, her love of bold colors and the importance of loving what you paint.

When did you first discover your love of art?

Ever since I was a little girl, I have always loved creating art. I did love painting as a child, but I really loved all forms of creativity. I remember scouring antique stores with my mom and always redecorating my room. I loved helping in the garden and making floral arrangements. When I would draw, I would draw architectural plans for my dream house or fashion designs. I really just loved creating in general. High School art class is when I started oil painting and really became interested in painting. I never dreamed it could be my career though.

While you grew up in Texas, you currently call Nashville home where you work as a freelance artist. How do your surroundings serve as inspiration?

Nashville is a city full of talent and creative people, so I think being surrounded by like minded people motivate and inspire me.

In Texas I grew up on a farm and rode horses, so we were always in nature and exploring. Maybe this had something to do with inspiring my hummingbird collection. We always had tons swarming our feeders during the summers.

You studied at the University of Alabama where you earned your degree in studio art. What was one of the greatest lessons that you learned during your time there?

It was more about the experience. I studied under amazing artist whom I respect greatly. I don’t know if I could do what I do today with that experience. Creating art is so much more than just putting paint on a canvas. I use the techniques I learned in college every single day in my work. It really deepened by skills and pushed my work to the next level.

I love hummingbirds, so I loved seeing both your large and smaller works featuring this beautiful bird. When did you first start painting hummingbirds?

I painted the first one many years ago, but took a break for awhile and was focused on more on abstracted pieces. It wasn’t until this past year, I needed something for my own home and decided I wanted two hummingbird panels for my entry. After sharing the panels on instagram it just took off from there and I have been painting hummingbirds ever since.

Do you observe hummingbirds, colors etc, or get inspiration from photographs etc?

Most of time I look through photographs or books for hummingbird inspiration. I did put up a feeder this year though and have enjoyed getting to observe them in person. They really are fascinating to watch and I get way too excited every time one shows up at my feeder.

I don’t base my paintings completely from life. Although I want there to be detail and realism in the birds, I also don’t want it to look like a photograph. I want there to be a painterly touch, something that can’t be captured by simply taking a photograph. I use texture, composition, or change the color to abstract the subject and give the piece this painterly touch.

In addition to your pieces featuring hummingbirds & butterflies you also create colorful abstracts, what color palettes or a color in particular that you like to feature in your work.

I don’t have a specific palette that I always use. I do love bold colors though and my favorites change all the time. Some of my favorites are Yves Klein blue, a bold orange red, and gold yellow ochre.

With the colorful abstracts, it is more about how the colors interact together. For example; I love orange red with a violet hot pink, terra cotta with ultramarine blue, or a bold red next to a softer grey blue.

Tell me about a typical day in the studio.

Every day is a bit different, but usually I answer emails and do some admin work in the morning and write out a list of what I need to get done in the studio that day to keep me on track.

I try to get to the studio by 10am. When I arrive at the studio, I start going through my to do list. This could be painting, packing, framing, etc… Somedays I am in the zone and don’t want to stop painting and sometimes I am just dragging. So I do always make myself stay at the studio at least until 5ish even if I am not feeling it.

After leaving the studio I run any errands and ship any paintings that need to be sent. Then when I get home in the evenings I do a little more admin work if needed. Usually my day is a bit more scattered, but this is the goal. I do always block out my days like this though because I do not do well jumping from one thing to another. If I am interrupted when I am in the zone painting, it is very hard for me to get back on track.

What is the piece that you are currently working on?

I am currently catching up on commissions…lots of gold leaf hummingbirds. Im also planning on releasing some small works on paper next month sometime, so I have started working on these as well.

Out of all of the pieces that you’ve created, do you have a personal favorite?

I don’t think I can pick one favorite, but I do always have a few favorite in every collection. I loved a pair of hummingbirds I sent to Shain Gallery last month. They also have a butterfly piece that I love.

When I first started painting, I would paint what I thought others would want to buy. Then when they wouldn’t sell, I’d be stuck with paintings that really weren’t my taste. Now I really try to paint with myself in mind and what I like, not what I think others will like. Since art is so personal and we all have different taste, there is always going to be critics of my art. So I really love everything I create now. Art is such a personal thing, my favorites are not always the first to go. I am always interested to see which paintings of mine others are drawn to.

You recently started working with the Shain Gallery here in Charlotte, NC. What do you enjoy the most about working with the team at the gallery?

They are just such an easy going, but hard working team who really support their artist. I’m very honored to be represented by them.

Keep up with Blaire through her website and via Instagram @blairewheelerart

All images in this post via Blaire Wheeler Fine Art